Belves is in the Dordogne region in Southern France, the cottage is well situated in the town and the view from the balcony and upper level bedroom is stunning. We stayed 12 days and made frequent trips to surrounding towns and viilages. Having your own car is essential to experience these fantastic places.

Two seniors from Australia spent three months (Feb-May) delighting in the view, location and warmth of this lovely house. Just 200 metres from the steps into town and most restaurants, the balcony and master bedrooms face the divine valley views, with the best medieval buildings ranged along the left. Hours spent looking at this were not enough. The bird calls provide your background music. The house comprises, upstairs, a large master bedroom (KS bed) with dressing room, ample storage and hanging spaces, satellite TV and sitting room. Two other bedrooms (QS and 2 x singles) are also upstairs but we used them only for hanging our surplus. They are all served by a small bathroom with shower, basin, loo, washing machine and ample storage and supplies. Down the stairs, which are as steep as all old French houses, are two other rooms and a second bathroom with shower, basin, loo and storage. The lounge-room is huge and contains three couches, one of which is a fold down double bed. This room could be used as bedroom too. The other room is for dining (seats 6), sitting (seats 2) and open plan kitchen. The balcony (seats 4) opens from here. It is here you spend most of your days in cosy warmth. The kitchen is small, ideal for one cook, but the electric oven/stove (ceramic top), small bar fridge, toaster, kettle, accessories are practical and plentiful. A second full size fridge is available in the entry hall a few steps away. There are enough dinner and cutlery services to host banquets, and enough chairs to find a seat too. To say the house is well-stocked is an understatement. The supplies are generous beyond your needs. All appliances work. All instructions are available. The House Book is excellent. Heating is electric and endless. All rooms are well and generously heated on demand. Hot water is served from a tank in the bathroom. Parking is in the street outside or along a bit in marked spaces undercover. From the front door, steps lead to the rear garden where a terrace, seating, BBQ and washing line are useful. We did not use these given the time of year. In Belves, a place we love with all our hearts, is an indisputable welcome for visitors. See the Tourist Office first then explore Belves on foot and enjoy the Saturday market, the enchanting main street shops, the 2-3 pizza places, the 2-3 restaurants and the Troglodytique Cave Tour. From here, all the Dordogne is accessible with its fabulous chateaux, markets, towns, shops, walks, rivers, wineries and food choices. Three months was not enough even to see the A-List. It is Perigord paradise. In summary, if you seek five star accommodation and ultra-modern conveniences, this house is not for you. It is not “slick”; you are in rural France after all! If you seek warmth, comfort, privacy, quiet, heart-stopping beauty and a great location with all fundamental living needs met, this house will easily satisfy.

Situated in the heart of the beautiful medieval village of Belves this property is ideal as a hub for exploring the region. So many beautiful local villages and chateaux to explore, you should spend more time here than you originally planned! As for the cottage, it has everything you need (and more!), easy living with the most perfect view of the village from the balcony and main bedroom. Easy walk to the Saturday market and the Cafe de Paris - the centre of life on a Friday night. Do not miss it!

Fantastic view from the balcony which overlooks a valley and the quaint town of Belves sprawled over a hillside. Lovely scenery, especially with spring blossoms. I enjoyed peaceful early morning walks admiring stone buildings illuminated by street lights - took some great photos! Did lots of food tasting & nearby sightseeing around fascinating, medieval towns (& a castle) but at the end of the day, I could rest in one of the most impressive master bedrooms I've been in. Loved it all.

Les Lucarnes was well equipped and very comfortably furnished. We spent most evenings on the balcony with a champagne. High on the left was the village of Belves illuminated by the setting sun. Straight ahead, across the valley. we could see the hot-air balloons floating above the horizon. They are located near La Rocque Gageac about 30 km away. There are plenty of wonderful places to visit just a short drive away.

Belves is a spectacular hill town located in the Perigord Noir, almost the Dordogne. There's lots to do nearby and important sites are easily reached - Domme, St. Emelion, Bergerac, Sarlat. There are a couple of good restaurants and a very jolly cafe in the square, with a Saturday morning market. The property is roomy, comfortable, very well appointed and convenient. Water pressure is excellent - an important point for those acquainted with typical French plumbing. An elevated terrace offers very expansive views and a good vantage for the village itself. Super for breakfast, drinks and al fresco dining. Beware the stairs - also typically French in design. For older folks, take them slowly and all will be well. Park right at the door and head out for spectacular exploring, but you can also spend a relaxing time "at home" where absolutely everything is provided.

Booked Les Lucarnes from Meryl, who recently sold it to Bruce and Judy. We were provided loads of information about the cottage, Belves and the surrounding Bastide towns. When we got there, there were more books, maps etc to keep us very well informed. The place was very well stocked with the necessary utilities etc including plenty of herbs to cook tasty meals and more. Especially when one get there late and miss the Sunday morning supermarket opening hours! Because of course one rushed to the Sunday markets first!! In St Cyprien. Although one could really stock up pretty well at the market and use the local stores as well. The master bedroom had the most glorious view of the town and the surrounding countryside and very spacious. The same goes with the balcony ( off the dining area) view . We had many a lovely lunch and coffees out there especially on sunny mornings. There are many walking trails and many charming towns to visit within driving distance. The pretty villages along the Lot river were not far either. The 2 local bakeries were our favourite visits each morning! We had a glitch with the wifi one day but we figured it was due to the rain. Bruce was very prompt and helpful with any queries we had. The option of using the phone for local calls as well as landlines in Australia was a bonus not that we used it much. In conclusion we had the most relaxing, comfortable stay and thoroughly enjoyed visiting the towns and wish we could have stayed longer. Thanks Meryl, Bruce and Judy & of course Michael for putting us onto this gem of a cottage.